BARGAIN BAVARIAN

Tested: Cheapest BMW money can buy

1. CHEAPEST TICKET INTO A BMW

Although the word ‘cheap’ is a relative term, the BMW 118i starts at $39,990 plus on-road costs, or about $44,800 drive-away according to the BMW website. That’s basically the same money as the bigger, faster and better-equipped Volkswagen Golf GTI hot hatch, which is fine except the BMW’s price is just the start. BMW charges $476 for Apple Car Play (standard on a VW Golf ... and the Kia Picanto, at $15,690 drive-away one of Australia’s cheapest cars). Then there is $1190 for metallic paint. Brands like Mazda and Subaru don’t charge for metallic and others are in the $400 to $550 price range.

2. THREE-CYLINDER ENGINE

Once upon a time the 118i badge symbolised a 1.8litre four-cylinder engine. Now it’s just a series of numbers. Generally speaking, the higher the number the more power. Once the initial surprise about a three-cylinder subsides you may well come away amazed, as I did, after a test drive. It has the typical rumble of a three-cylinder – engines with an odd number of cylinders customarily sound different to those with an even number – but its power delivery is incredibly smooth and responsive, even from relatively low revs. There’s a perverse joy in knowing you’re using bugger-all fuel and yet still have ample power on tap. The 1.5-litre three-cylinder pumps out a respectable 100kW or power and 220Nm of torque; by comparison a Toyota Corolla fourcylinder has similar power but less torque, with 103kW/173Nm.

3. THE EIGHT-SPEED AUTO IS A GEM

It’s rare for such a small car to have so many gear ratios but that’s one of the reasons the 118i is so brisk for a three-cylinder: the lower ratios help get it off the line smartly, and the top gears mean the engine is barely ticking over at freeway speeds, using fuel as miserly as possible. This is handy given it insists on at least 95 octane premium unleaded.

4. RIDE COMFORT IS GOOD

The 16-inch alloy wheels may look a bit small in these photos but the tyres around them are more cushioned. Tall-profile tyres help deliver superior comfort than cars on large rims with low profile tyres. The runflat tyres mean there’s no spare in the boot and replacement rubber can be about 50 per cent dearer than a set of regular tyres. It steers with the precision you might expect from a BMW – and comfort not normally found in a BMW.

5. BACK SEAT SPACE IS TIGHT

Because this BMW sends its engine power to the rear wheels – rather than the front, which is the small-car norm – there is a lump in the floor and less space under the back seat to accommodate the driveline hardware. It’s a small sacrifice for driving enjoyment and a super-tight turning circle. But if you want a more accommodating hatchback and a bigger boot buy a VW Golf.